Taking time off from college isn't always what it seems to be. Some people do it to travel or live their lives, while others do it to figure things out. Regardless of your situation, some things about taking a semester off can relate to everyone.
1. Being an adult is hard.
Your parents and other adults have told you for your entire life. You always thought that growing up would be so much better than being a kid. Once you get there, you realize that it's not all fun and games like you thought. You have so many more responsibilities and things that you're held accountable for. When I decided to take a semester off of college, I signed up for early adulthood.
2. Working full-time means making sacrifices.
When I say that working sucks, working sucks. I love my job, but getting up knowing that the majority of your day is going to be spent at work isn't fun. It feels like every time someone asks you to do something, you have work. Working isn't all bad though. Making money is never a bad thing.
3. You'll miss college.
Classes, friends, parties, you name it. The real world is so much different than campus life. Moving back home or into your own place is drastically different than living in a dorm or in an apartment with roommates. You don't have that constant stream of people all around you, all of the time.
4. Being back home is different than it was before.
Home isn't the same as it was in high school. Most of the people you know are away at school. You might feel out of place going to school sporting events or hanging out at all of the places that you did in high school. Living with your parents is harder than it ever was before. You might be an adult now, but you still feel like a kid.
5. Explaining the situation is difficult.
No one seems to understand what you're going through. So many people think that taking time off of school will ruin your life. They say that you'll lose motivation and slack off. Sometimes taking time off is something that you need to do for yourself.
6. You learn a lot about yourself.
For the last five years, I've known what I wanted my profession to be. Over the span of the time I took off, I got to experience so many other things that influenced my decision. My goals have changed a lot. I know what I don't want to do and I now see how hard I have to work to achieve my goals. I've learned who is there for me in the long run and who will support the decisions I make to ultimately better myself.
7. You learn about financial stability.
Whether you work and save up money, or pay off your student debt, you're getting a taste of the real world. Now that you have bills, you know how important it is to have a stable job. Most of us are no longer able to rely solely on our parents and need to get our own finances in order. Putting money aside into a savings account is one of the smartest things you can do. Invest in your future.
8. Your social life changes.
You no longer have the people you did from high school or college. You may get to see them on occassion, but very few are in the same position as you. It's up to you to go out and make new friends, which seems harder the older you get. Meeting people out in public is much different than meeting people in class. Bars aren't a bad place to meet new people, but that doesn't work for everyone.
9. Going back is hard.
You intend on taking a semester, maybe two, off to figure things out. Next thing you know, it's the time that you said you'd start back up and you're questioning everything. You're scared and probably wondering if it's even worth going back at this point. You might have forgotten most of the things you learned before. You may not even remember how college works. I didn't at first. When it all comes down to it, going back isn't for everyone.
